Camera support

ABSTRACT

A camera support ( 10 ) has a mounting member ( 13 ) to be attached to a camera ( 11 ), and a supporting member ( 14 ) for supporting the camera ( 11 ) through the mounting member ( 13 ). The supporting member ( 14 ) has a catching surface ( 22 ) in the shape of an arcuate surface and a fitting surface ( 24 ) in the shape of a cylindrical surface. The mounting member ( 13 ) has a catching surface ( 32 ) and one or more fitting surfaces ( 36 ). The catching surface ( 32 ) is adapted to removably catch the catching surface ( 22 ). Each fitting surface ( 36 ) is adapted to removably be fitted to the fitting surface ( 24 ). By engaging the catching surface ( 22 ) with the catching surface ( 32 ), the camera ( 11 ) is set in the horizontal position in such a state as to be capable of rotating vertically so that its vertical angle can be adjusted. By fitting the fitting surface ( 24 ) and one of the fitting surface ( 36 ) together, the camera ( 11 ) is set in the vertical position in such a state as to be capable of rotating vertically so that its vertical angle can be adjusted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera support for supportinga camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An example of conventional camera supports is shown in FIG. 5

[0003] The conventional camera support shown in FIG. 5 is provided witha dome-shaped mounting member 3 and a supporting member 4. The mountingmember 3 is attached to a camera 1 with a screw 2, and the supportingmember 4 is adapted to support the camera 1 with the mounting member 3disposed therebetween. The supporting member 4 consists of a slender,vertically extending vertical rod portion 5 and a ball-shaped portion 6fixed to the top of the vertical rod portion 5.

[0004] As the ball-shaped portion 6 of the supporting member 4 is snuglyfitted in the dome-shaped mounting member 3, the camera 1, which is inthe horizontal position, is supported in such a manner as to be capableof adjustably rotating around the ball-shaped portion 6 vertically,laterally or in any other desired direction.

[0005] With the camera support shown in FIG. 5, the image can laterallybe angled in accordance with the subject to be photographed by laterallyrotating the camera 1 that is in the horizontal position around theball-shaped portion 6. However, it is not possible to shift the camera 1from the horizontal position to the vertical position even if the camera1 is to a great degree.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a camera support which is capable of shiftingthe camera between the horizontal position and the vertical position.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A camera support according to the present invention includes amounting member to be attached to a camera, and a supporting member forsupporting the camera with the mounting member therebetween, whereinsaid supporting member includes a first supporting portion and a secondsupporting portion, the first supporting portion adapted to support thecamera in a horizontal position by engagement with the mounting member,and the second supporting portion adapted to support the camera in avertical position by engagement with the mounting member.

[0008] With the configuration as above, the invention enables the camerato be set in the horizontal position or the vertical position as desiredin accordance with the subject to be photographed.

[0009] A camera support according to the present invention includes amounting member to be attached to a camera, and a supporting member forsupporting the camera with the mounting member therebetween, saidsupporting member having a catching surface in the shape of an arcuatesurface and a fitting surface in the shape of a cylindrical surface, andsaid mounting member having another catching surface adapted to beslidably engaged with or separated from the first mentioned catchingsurface, and another fitting surface adapted to be slidably fitted to orseparated from the first mentioned fitting surface, wherein the camerasupport functions such that when the first mentioned catching surfaceand the second mentioned catching surface are engaged with each other,the camera is supported in the horizontal position by the supportingmember in such a state as to be capable of being adjusted by rotatingvertically around the first mentioned catching surface and that when thefirst mentioned fitting surface and the second mentioned fitting surfaceare fitted to each other, the camera is supported in the verticalposition by the supporting member in such a state as to be capable ofbeing adjusted by rotating vertically around the first mentioned fittingsurface.

[0010] With the configuration as above, the invention enables the camerato be set in the horizontal position or the vertical position as desiredin accordance with the subject to be photographed. Furthermore, thecamera can easily be tilted no matter whether the camera is in thehorizontal position or in the vertical position.

[0011] According to yet another feature of the invention, the secondmentioned fitting surface of the mounting member of the camera supportconsists of a plurality of fitting surfaces that are aligned at givendistances from each other.

[0012] With the feature as above, the invention can appropriately copewith various cameras by choosing one from the fitting surfaces dependingon the camera.

[0013] According to yet another feature of the invention, the supportingmember of the camera support has a slender, horizontally extendinghorizontal rod portion with a circular cross section and a slender,vertically extending vertical rod portion projected downward from alocation in the middle of the length of the underside of the horizontalrod portion; the upper part of the cylindrical outer surface of thehorizontal rod portion forms the first mentioned catching surface in theshape of an arcuate surface; and the entire cylindrical surface of atleast one of the lengthwise ends of the horizontal rod portion forms thefirst mentioned fitting surface in the shape of a cylindrical surface.

[0014] With the feature as above, the invention the invention makes thesupporting member easy to manufacture and also makes the supportingmember easy to carry by using the horizontal rod portion.

[0015] According to yet another feature of the invention, the supportingmember of the camera support has a structure such a structure as topermit the supporting member to be used as a walking stick.

[0016] By enabling the supporting member to be used as a walking stick,the invention eliminates the need of a walking stick as a separate itemfrom the supporting member, resulting in various benefits, such as, forexample, reducing baggage when traveling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective of an embodiment of a camera supportaccording to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective of a mounting member of said camerasupport;

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates how a camera is supported in the horizontalposition by said camera support;

[0020]FIG. 4 illustrates how a camera is supported in the verticalposition by said camera support; and

[0021]FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional camera support.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention is explainedhereunder, referring to the relevant drawings.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 10 denotes a camera support 10having a mounting member 13 and a supporting member 14. With a screw 12serving as a fixture, the mounting member 13 is attached to theunderside of a camera 11 having a somewhat longer horizontal dimension,and the supporting member 14 is intended to support the camera 11 withthe mounting member 13 disposed therebetween.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the supporting member 14 is a support-stickthat functions both as a support of the camera 11 and as a walkingstick, and has a horizontal rod portion 21 serving as a stick holder.The horizontal rod portion 21 is formed in the shape of a horizontallyextending solid cylinder with a circular cross section having a uniformdiameter.

[0025] The upper part of the outer surface of the horizontal rod portion21 forms a catching surface 22 in the shape of a convex arcuate surfacehaving an arc corresponding to, for example, approximately three-fourthsof the circumference. In other words, the upper part of the cylindricalouter surface of the horizontal rod portion 21 (for example,approximately three-fourths of the entire cylindrical outer surface,which part excludes the bottom part of the outer surface of thehorizontal rod portion 21, forms the catching surface 22, which is oneof the two catching surfaces and has an arcuate surface with a generallyC-shaped cross section and a horizontally extending center axis. Saidcenter axis is an imaginary line passing through the centers of the arcsthat form cross sections of the catching surface 22.

[0026] One of the two lengthwise ends of the horizontal rod portion 21forms a fitting portion 23 in the shape of a short, solid cylinder. Theentire cylindrical outer surface of the fitting portion 23 forms afitting surface 24, which is a cylindrical surface having a uniformdiameter. The fitting surface 24 and the aforementioned catching surface22 coaxially extend so that the center axis of the fitting surface 24,which is an imaginary line passing through the centers of circles thatform cross sections of the fitting surface 24, coincides with the centeraxis of the catching surface 22. A part (the upper part of the outersurface) of the fitting surface 24 serves as a part of the catchingsurface 22.

[0027] The vicinity of the other lengthwise end of the horizontal rodportion 21 is slightly curved downward so that the horizontal rodportion 21 becomes more comfortable to hold, the surface of the otherend is formed into a hemi-spherical curved surface 25. The firstmentioned lengthwise end forms a vertically extending flat surface 26.

[0028] A slender, vertically extending vertical rod portion 28 whichserves as a stick-leg portion and has a circular cross section projectsdownward from the underside of the horizontal rod portion 21, from alocation in the middle of the length of the horizontal rod portion 21(for example, slightly closer to the first lengthwise end than is themidpoint of the length of the horizontal rod portion 21. A rubber cap 29serving as a shoe spike is fitted over the bottom portion of thevertical rod portion 28. A pair of slanted surfaces 30,30 having agenerally crescent shape are formed by cutting away the cylindricalouter surface of the upper end portions of the vertical rod portion 28at two locations.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting member 13 has a caved bodyportion 31 open at the bottom. The body portion 31 has a shape that isformed by cutting a hemi-cylinder having an approximately hemi-circularcross section from the lower part of a horizontally extendingrectangular block having nearly the same length as that of thehorizontal rod portion 21.

[0030] The underside of the body portion 31 forms another catchingsurface 32, which is in the shape of a concave arc open downward andcorresponding to the shape of the first mentioned catching surface 22.In the case of the present embodiment, the arc of the catching surface32 corresponds to about a half of the circumference. The catchingsurface 32 extends from one end to the other end of the body portion 31and has a horizontally extending center axis, which is an imaginary lineconnecting the centers of the arcs of the catching surface 32. Thecatching surface 32 can be fitted in or separated from the catchingsurface 22 by sliding along the catching surface 22.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of recesses (for example threecircular recesses 34,34,34) are formed in the catching surface 32, whichis the underside of the body portion 31, in such a manner as to bespaced apart in the lengthwise direction of the body portion 31 atregular intervals or otherwise at given distances from each other.

[0032] Of the body portion 31, the periphery of each recess 34 formsanother fitting portion 35 which has a cylindrical shape and canremovably be fitted over the aforementioned fitting portion 23. Theouter diameter of the fitting portion 23 is slightly smaller than theinner diameter of each fitting portion 35.

[0033] The lower part of the cylindrical inner surface of each fittingportion 35 forms a fitting surface 36. According to the embodiment, eachfitting surface 36 is formed of a pair of generally triangular, arcuatesurfaces 37,37 that are spaced apart and face each other. Each one ofthe two edges of each arcuate surface 37 is formed of an arc which maybe, for example, approximately an eighth of a circle. A ring-shapedcylindrical surface 38 integrally extends from the edges of each arcuatesurface 37.

[0034] The fitting surfaces 36 can be slidably fitted around orseparated from the aforementioned fitting surface 24.

[0035] The body portion 31 is also provided with a plurality of throughholes for screws. For example, three circular through holes 41,41,41 areprovided in the case of the present embodiment. The through holes41,41,41 are formed at locations respectively corresponding to therecesses 34,34,34. In other words, they are arranged along the length ofthe body portion 31 at regular intervals or otherwise at given distancesfrom each other. Each through hole 41 is provided coaxially with thecorresponding recess 34, with the diameter of the through hole 41smaller than that of the recess 34.

[0036] A rectangular anti-slipping seat member 42 is attached to the topof the body portion 31. The head 12 a of the screw 12 has a thicknessnearly the same as the axial length of the cylindrical surface 38.

[0037] The catching surface 22 of the supporting member 14 forms a firstsupporting portion 43 for supporting the camera 11 at the horizontalposition by contact between the catching surface 22 and the catchingsurface 32 of the mounting member 13. The fitting surface 24 of thesupporting member 14 forms a second supporting portion 44 for supportingthe camera 11 at the vertical position by being snugly fitted to thefitting surfaces 36 of the mounting member 13.

[0038] Next, the function of the embodiment described above is explainedhereunder.

[0039] To take pictures with the camera 11, the user inserts the screw12 into the through hole 41 selected from among the three through holes41,41,41 for a screw, and screws the external thread portion 12 b of thescrew 12 in the internal thread portion (not shown) in the underside ofthe camera 11, thereby fixing the mounting member 13 to the camera 11 inthe state that the anti-slipping seat member 42 is in contact with theunderside of the camera 11.

[0040] The user makes the aforementioned selection of the through hole41 in accordance with the location of the internal thread portion of thecamera 11 so as to, for example, prevent the lengthwise ends of themounting member 13 from protruding from the sides of the camera 11.

[0041] To take pictures with the camera 11 in the horizontal position asshown in FIG. 3 after attaching the mounting member 13 to the camera 11,the user supports the supporting member 14 with one hand so that thevertical rod portion 28 is positioned vertically, and holds the camera11 horizontally with the other hand. Then, the user places the camera 11on the supporting member 14 with the mounting member 13 therebetween tobring the catching surface 22 of the supporting member 14 and thecatching surface 32 of the mounting member 13 into contact with eachother in the state that the two catching surfaces 22,32 can slide oneach other.

[0042] As a result, with the mounting member 13 positioned between thesupporting member 14 and the camera 11, the supporting member 14supports the camera 11 in the horizontal position where the lengthwisedirection of the camera 11 is horizontal. In this state, the camera 11can be vertically rotated around the catching surface 22 of thesupporting member 14 so that the camera lens 11, which projects in theforward direction, rotates vertically.

[0043] Thereafter, the user may tilt the camera 11 by rotating thecamera 11 vertically according to the subject to be photographed. When adesired image is obtained, the user releases the shutter.

[0044] There may be cases where the user is unable to obtain a desiredimage by the horizontal position. To take a picture with the camera 11in the vertical position in such a case, first, the user raises thecamera 11 together with the mounting member 11 so as to release thecatching surface 22 of the supporting member 14 from the catchingsurface 32 of the mounting member 13.

[0045] Thereafter, the user supports the supporting member 14 with onehand so that the vertical rod portion 28 is positioned vertically, andholds the camera 11 vertically with the other hand. Then, the userinserts the fitting portion 23 of the supporting member 14 into theselected fitting portion 35 so that the fitting surface 24 of thesupporting member 14 is slidably fitted in the fitting surface 36.

[0046] As a result, with the mounting member 13 positioned between thesupporting member 14 and the camera 11, the supporting member 14supports the camera 11 in the vertical position where the lengthwisedirection of the camera 11 is vertical. In this state, the camera 11 canbe vertically rotated around the fitting surface 24 of the supportingmember 14 so that the camera lens 11, which projects in the forwarddirection, rotates vertically.

[0047] Thereafter, the user may tilt the camera 11 by rotating thecamera 11 vertically according to the subject to be photographed. When adesired image is obtained, the user releases the shutter.

[0048] To use the supporting member 14 as a walking stick after shootingwith the camera 11 in the vertical position, the user separates thefitting surface 24 of the supporting member 14 from the fitting surface36 of the mounting member 13, and, while holding the horizontal rodportion 21 of the supporting member 14, uses the vertical rod portion 28in such a way that the cap 29 at the bottom of the vertical rod portion28 comes into contact with the ground or the like.

[0049] As described above, the present embodiment functions such thatwhen the camera 11 is supported by the supporting member 14 with themounting member 13 therebetween by means of slidable contact between thecatching surface 22 of the supporting member 14 and the catching surface32 of the mounting member 13, the camera 11 is set in the horizontalposition and capable of tilting, and that when the camera 11 issupported by the supporting member 14 with the mounting member 13therebetween by means of slidable contact between the fitting surface 24of the supporting member 14 and one of the fitting surfaces 36 of themounting member 13, the camera 11 is set in the vertical position andcapable of tilting. With the structure as above, the embodiment enablesthe camera 11 to be set in the horizontal position or the verticalposition as desired in accordance with the subject to be photographed.

[0050] Furthermore, tilting adjustment can easily be performed byrotating the camera 11 in the circumferential direction along thecatching surface 22 when the camera 11 is in the horizontal position, orrotating the camera 11 in the circumferential direction along thefitting surface 24 when the camera 11 is in the vertical position.

[0051] As the camera 11 can easily be attached to the supporting member14 with the mounting member 13 therebetween, the position of the camera11 can also be easily changed from the horizontal position to thevertical position or from the vertical position to the horizontalposition.

[0052] As a plurality of fitting surfaces 36 (three fitting surfaces inthe case of the present embodiment) are arranged at regular intervalsalong the lengthwise direction of the body portion 31 of the mountingmember 13, the mounting member 13 of the embodiment can appropriatelycope with various cameras 11 by choosing one from the fitting surfaces36 according to the dimensions of the camera 11, the position of theinternal thread portion or any other relevant factors.

[0053] The supporting member 14 has a simple structure and is easy toproduce, and also easy to carry by using the horizontal rod portion 21.

[0054] When not used for supporting the camera 11, the supporting member14 can be used as a walking stick. Therefore, in addition to providing abenefit of not encumbering the user when it is carried, the supportingmember 14 according to the embodiment reduces baggage when traveling byeliminating the necessity of a walking stick to be provided as aseparate item from the supporting member 14.

[0055] It is not essential for the first supporting portion 43 to have astructure that calls for direct contact with the mounting member 13 tosupport the camera 11 in such a state that the camera 11 is in thehorizontal position and capable of tilting; for example, the camera 11may be supported in the horizontal position by fitting the firstsupporting portion 43 to the mounting member 13.

[0056] Furthermore, it is not essential for the second supportingportion 44 to have a structure that calls for fitting to the mountingmember 13 to support the camera 11 in such a state that the camera 11 isin the vertical position and capable of tilting; for example, the camera11 may be supported in the vertical position by direct contact with themounting member 13.

[0057] Although the above explanation refers to the embodiment, whereinthree fitting surfaces 36 are aligned, the invention is also applicableto cases where one, two or more than three fitting surfaces 36 areprovided. Furthermore, according to the embodiment explained above, eachfitting surface 36 consists of a pair of arcuate surfaces 37,37 that arespaced apart and situated facing each other. However, each fittingsurface 36 may be formed of a single cylindrical surface.

[0058] The fitting surface 24 in the shape of a cylindrical surface isnot limited to a complete cylindrical surface having a circular crosssection; any arcuate surface having an arc (for example, approximatelythree-fourths of a circle) is permissible, provided that the shapeenables the fitting surface 24 to fit onto the fitting surface 36 so asto properly support the camera 11.

[0059] Furthermore, the vertical rod portion 28 of the supporting member14 may have a multi-stage structure with an adjustable length.

POSSIBLE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0060] As described above, a camera support according to the inventionis capable of setting the camera 11 in the horizontal position or thevertical position as desired in accordance with the subject to bephotographed, and, therefore, particularly suitable for occasions wherethe camera has to shoot photographs from the horizontal position and/orthe vertical position.

1. A camera support including amounting member to be attached to acamera, and a supporting member for supporting the camera with themounting member therebetween, wherein said supporting member includes: afirst supporting portion adapted to support the camera in a horizontalposition by engagement with the mounting member, and a second supportingportion adapted to support the camera in a vertical position byengagement with the mounting member.
 2. A camera support including amounting member to be attached to a camera, and a supporting member forsupporting the camera with the mounting member therebetween, wherein:said supporting member has a catching surface in the shape of an arcuatesurface and a fitting surface in the shape of a cylindrical surface;said mounting member has another catching surface adapted to be slidablyengaged with or separated from the first mentioned catching surface, andanother fitting surface adapted to be slidably fitted to or separatedfrom the first mentioned fitting surface; when the first mentionedcatching surface and the second mentioned catching surface are engagedwith each other, the camera is supported in the horizontal position bythe supporting member in such a state as to be capable of being adjustedby rotating vertically around the first mentioned catching surface; andwhen the first mentioned fitting surface and the second mentionedfitting surface are fitted to each other, the camera is supported in thevertical position by the supporting member in such a state as to becapable of being adjusted by rotating vertically around the firstmentioned fitting surface.
 3. A camera support as claimed in claim 2,wherein the second mentioned fitting surface of the mounting memberconsists of a plurality of fitting surfaces that are aligned at givendistances from each other.
 4. A camera support as claimed in claim 2 orclaim 3, wherein: the supporting member has a slender, horizontallyextending horizontal rod portion with a circular cross section, and aslender, vertically extending vertical rod portion projected downwardfrom a location in the middle of the length of the underside of thehorizontal rod portion; the upper part of the cylindrical outer surfaceof the horizontal rod portion forms the first mentioned catching surfacein the shape of an arcuate surface; and the entire cylindrical surfaceof at least one of the lengthwise ends of the horizontal rod portionforms the first mentioned fitting surface in the shape of a cylindricalsurface.
 5. A camera support as claimed in any one of the claims fromclaim 1 to claim 4, wherein the supporting member has a structure such astructure as to permit the supporting member to be used as a walkingstick.